Switzerland Passport Photo

Swiss Passport Photo -- Precision Required

Switzerland does not do things halfway, and its passport photo requirements are no exception. The State Secretariat for Migration (Staatssekretariat für Migration, SEM) defines the biometric standards for the Schweizer Pass (Swiss passport) and the Identitätskarte (national ID card), and Swiss authorities enforce them with the kind of exactness you would expect from the country that standardized watchmaking. Approximately 1.5 million Swiss travel documents are in circulation at any given time, and the SEM reports that around 12% of photos submitted through cantonal passport offices are rejected on first attempt -- a rate that has remained stubbornly consistent despite years of public awareness campaigns.

The photo rules are published at sem.admin.ch and apply uniformly to applications filed at cantonal and communal passport offices (Passbüro), Swiss embassies, and the handful of municipalities that still process applications directly. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) manages consular passport services for Swiss citizens abroad. However, Switzerland's federal structure means the application process varies by canton -- Zürich handles things differently from Genève, which handles things differently from Ticino. The photo specifications, at least, are nationally standardized.

Technical Requirements

Dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height: 30-36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the skull
• Switzerland enforces a tighter head-height range than most EU countries -- the 30mm minimum is notably higher than the ICAO floor of 25mm

Background:

• White or light grey (gleichmässig hell) -- evenly lit, no gradation
• No shadows from the subject or from lighting equipment
• Switzerland accepts both white and light grey, but the background must be uniform. A wall that is white on one side and slightly darker on the other will be rejected.

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression, Mund geschlossen (mouth closed), both eyes open and visible
• Face squarely facing the camera, no tilting in any direction
• Ears do not need to be visible (unlike South Korea), but hair should not cover the eyebrows or eyes

Prohibited items:

• No glasses. Switzerland banned all eyewear in passport photos as part of its 2017 biometric update. Clear prescription lenses, tinted lenses, and transition lenses are all prohibited.
• No head coverings except for religious reasons, documented with a written statement. The face from chin to forehead must be unobstructed.
• No headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids visible in the photo

Photo age: Must be taken within the last 12 months. Switzerland allows a 12-month window, which is more generous than the 6-month rule in neighboring Germany, Austria, and France. However, the photo must still represent your current appearance.

Where to Get a Passfoto in Switzerland

SBB train station photo booths (Fotoautomat): Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) stations across Switzerland have biometric photo booths, usually near the ticket counters or in the main hall. These machines are maintained to SEM standards and cost CHF 8-12 for a strip of biometric photos. Major stations like Zürich HB, Bern, Basel SBB, Genève-Cornavin, and Lausanne all have multiple booths. Look for machines marked "Passfoto" or "Photo biométrique" -- ignore the entertainment-style booths.

Photo studios (Fotostudio / Studio photo): Professional photographers near cantonal Passbüro offices know the SEM requirements by heart. Prices range from CHF 15-35 depending on location. Zürich city center studios charge the most; smaller towns are more affordable. Ask for "biometrisches Passfoto nach SEM-Vorgaben" (in German-speaking cantons) or "photo biométrique selon les normes du SEM" (in Romandie).

Migros Photo Service: Many Migros supermarkets with a photo counter or electronic department offer passport photo services for CHF 12-18. The Migros online photo service also allows you to upload and print passport-format photos, though you are responsible for ensuring compliance.

Self-service printing at Interdiscount / MediaMarkt: If you have a digital photo that meets SEM specifications, print it at a self-service kiosk for approximately CHF 0.50-1.00 per 10x15cm sheet. Cut the photos to 35x45mm yourself. This is the budget option but requires confidence in your photo's compliance.

Cantonal Variations in the Application Process

While the photo specifications are national, the passport application process differs by canton:

• Zürich: Applications at Passbüro Zürich (Walchestrasse). Online appointment required. The office has a photo booth in the lobby.
• Bern: Applications at the Einwohnergemeinde or Regierungsstatthalteramt, depending on the municipality. Some Bernese municipalities accept walk-ins.
• Genève: Applications at the Office cantonal de la population et des migrations (OCPM). Appointment mandatory. French-language forms.
• Ticino: Applications at the Ufficio passaporti. Italian-language forms and instructions.
• Basel-Stadt: Applications at the Bürgerrechte und Pass (citizenship and passport) office.

In all cantons, you bring your photo to the appointment. Some cantonal offices will take your photo on-site (for a fee), but this is not guaranteed -- bringing your own is strongly recommended.

Swiss Document Photo Sizes

Children's Photos

Swiss children need their own passport from birth -- they cannot be included on a parent's passport. Photo rules for children:

• Under 6 years: eyes should be open, but slight deviations in expression are tolerated. No parent hands, toys, or pacifiers visible.
• Ages 6-18: full adult specifications apply, including the glasses ban
• Infants: lay the baby on a white or light grey surface and photograph from above. The SEM accepts photos where an infant's eyes are partially closed.

Common Rejection Reasons

SEM data and cantonal passport office reports indicate the following top rejection causes:

1. Head height outside 30-36mm -- Switzerland's tight range catches photos that would pass in other countries. Photos taken at booths in neighboring countries (Germany, France, Italy) may have different head-size calibrations.
2. Glasses worn -- banned since 2017, yet remains a frequent issue
3. Uneven background -- light grey is acceptable, but it must be perfectly uniform. A wall with a slight shadow gradient from window lighting will be rejected.
4. Photo older than 12 months -- the cantonal office may compare the photo to your appearance
5. Digital alterations -- beauty filters, skin smoothing, and AI enhancement are detected by the biometric processing system
6. Wrong dimensions -- photos cut by hand from larger prints are sometimes slightly off-spec

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Switzerland accept light grey backgrounds or only white? A: Both white and light grey are accepted, provided the background is completely uniform with no shadows or gradation. Most photo booths in SBB stations default to white.

Q: I live near the German/French/Italian border. Can I use a photo from a booth in the neighboring country? A: Technically yes, if it meets SEM specifications. However, head-size calibration differs between countries. Germany uses a 32-36mm head height range; Switzerland uses 30-36mm. A photo from a German booth will usually pass, but a photo from an Italian or French booth may have different framing. Using a Swiss booth is the safest option.

Q: Can I take my passport photo at the Passbüro? A: Some cantonal passport offices offer on-site photo services, but not all. Zürich's Passbüro has a booth in the lobby. Other cantons may not. Check with your cantonal office before relying on this -- bringing your own photo is always the safer approach.

Q: Why does Switzerland allow 12-month-old photos while Austria only allows 6 months? A: Each country sets its own validity window. Switzerland's 12-month rule is defined in the SEM's passport regulations. The photo must still accurately represent your current appearance regardless of its age.

Q: How long does a Swiss passport take to process? A: Standard processing takes 10 business days. Express processing (available in some cantons) takes 3-5 business days for an additional fee of approximately CHF 100.